Retrospective and Perspective View of the Next Stage of Privatization in Azerbaijan

When oil prices fell on world markets, privatization in Azerbaijan came to the fore again. This time, the companies to be privatized were transferred to the management of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding on November 5, 2020, for rehabilitation. The list of such state companies and enterprises, as well as joint-stock companies with state share, include the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Azerbaijan Airlines Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC), Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC, AzerGold CJSC, Azerenergy Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC), International Bank of Azerbaijan OJSC, Azerbaijan International Telecom (AzInTelecom) LLC, Azerpocht LLC, Baku Telephone Communication LLC,etc.The main directions of the budget and tax policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2021-2024 state that special attention will be paid to stimulating the privatization of state property and creating more favorable conditions for investors next year. However, the projected revenues from privatization in 2021-2024 (111.0 million manats in 2021, 66.0 million manats in 2022, 62.0 million manats in 2023, and 64.0 million manats in 2024) show that this source will receive more funds this year than in the next years. The Azerbaijani government is going to re-privatize with dirty and dubious privatization practices. Therefore, mistakes made in the 1st and 2nd phase of privatization should be studied and lessons should be taken during